2015 NFHS Football Rules Changes -...

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of State High School Associations

2015

NFHS

Football Rules Changes

Presented by

Keith Alexander,

LHSAA Dir. Of Officials

Presentation of officials awards

Sign check-in sheet for all officials & head

coaches- Mandatory Attendance ($50 fine for schools & head coach cannot coach)

Extra Rule books available

Officials Cards - Superdome

• DO NOT ABUSE!

No fans on field prior to game or during half-time. No run through chutes by fans - only bands & cheerleaders.

Officials’ State Football Camp

Ejections---New Process—Forms are to be submitted Online.

Sportsmanship Report

OFFICIALS:

Login to the LHSAA Member Site

(lhsaaonline.org)

Click the Sportsmanship Report tab

Click Add Sportsmanship Report

Sportsmanship Report Tab

Disqualification Report

COACHES:

Login to the LHSAA Member Site

(lhsaaonline.org)

Click the Disqualification Report tab

Click Add Disqualification Report

Disqualification Report Tab

NFHS defines Fighting as:

“Any attempt by a player or non-player to

strike or engage a player or non-player in a

combative manner unrelated to football. Such

acts include, but are not limited to, attempts to

strike an opponent(s) with the arm(s),

hand(s), leg(s), or foot(feet), whether or not

there is contact.”

PLAYER EJECTED FROM A CONTEST IN A

SPORT FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE

CONDUCT

FIRST OFFENSE – will receive an official

warning. Must take the NFHS Coach Education

Certification Program: “Sportsmanship – It’s Up

to You”. Certificate of completion.

SECOND OFFENSE – Probation. Suspended

through the next regularly scheduled contest at

that level, including post-season play.

THIRD OFFENSE – Suspended for the

remainder of the year in that sport.

PLAYER EJECTED FROM A CONTEST

IN A SPORT FOR FIGHTING

FIRST OFFENSE – Player will be suspended

through the next contest at that level. Will

receive an official warning. Student will have a

mandatory meeting with Principal, Coach,

Parent/Guardian. Cannot travel with team, sit on

the bench, or be affiliated with the team during

the suspended time. Will be required to complete

Certification Program : “Sportsmanship – It’s Up

to You”.

SECOND OFFENSE – Suspended from

participating in the same sport for the remainder

of the year.

PLAYER EJECTED FROM A CONTEST IN A

SPORT FOR COMING OFF THE BENCH ONTO

THE COURT OF FIELD

FIRST OFFENSE – Player will be suspended

through the next contest at that level. Will receive

an official warning. Student will have a mandatory

meeting with Principal, Coach, Parent/Guardian.

Cannot travel with team, sit on the bench, or be

affiliated with the team during the suspended time.

Complete Sportsmanship Class. School may be

subject to a sportsmanship hearing.

SECOND OFFENSE – Suspended from

participating in the same sport for the remainder of

the year.

COACH EJECTED FROM A CONTEST IN A

SPORT FOR UNSPORTSMANSHIP

CONDUCT:

FIRST OFFENSE – Will receive an official

warning. Must complete Sportsmanship Class –

“Teaching & Modeling Behavior”. Cost is the

responsibility of the coach.

SECOND OFFENSE – School fined $200.00 .

The coach is suspended through the next game

at the level, including post-season play.

THIRD OFFENSE – School fined $300.00.

School prohibited from playing in a contest with

the coach serving as the coach of the team.

ON-LINE TESTING INFO: • Football Testing Dates: 9:00 AM, Monday, Aug. 24-

Midnight, Sunday, Sept. 6. Any computer may be used.

• Each Official will receive log-in information from their Assignment Secretary.

• If you take the test and pass (70% or higher), that score will be your final score. If you take the test and fail (69% or below), you may take the makeup test. The Makeup Test is a pass or fail test. A passing grade will only classify you as a REGISTERED official. The makeup test will be available from 9:00 AM, Monday, Sept. 14 – Midnight, Sunday, Sept. 20. Any computer may be used.

RATING REQUIREMENTS OF

LHSAA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS

To become REGISTERED, an official must:

1. Be registered with the LHSAA and a local officials' association.

2. Attend the state rules clinic.

3. Make 70% or above on the LHSAA test to work varsity games.

4. Work at least 10 freshman or junior varsity contests before

working varsity.

5. Be a high school graduate or be twenty-one years of age.

6. Shall not work past the first week of playoffs in any sport.

NOTE: Officials will not receive a card until he/she has met all the

criteria listed above.

ANY OFFICIAL FAILING TO TAKE THE TEST OR ATTEND THE

CLINIC MUST RETURN AS A REGISTERED OFFICIAL THE NEXT

YEAR OF REGISTRATION WITH HIS/HER LOCAL ASSOCIATION.

RATING REQUIREMENTS OF

LHSAA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS

To become CERTIFIED, an official must:

1. Registered with the LHSAA and a local official’s

association a minimum of two (2) years.

2. Attend the state rules clinic.

3. Make 85% or above on the LHSAA officials’ test.

4. Attend 70% of the local association meetings.

5. Work at least 5 varsity contests the prior season.

6. Attend a sanctioned camp or an approved

continuing education workshop once every two

years.

STATE LAW

ACT 314

According to Act 314:

1. Your school system shall educate coaches, officials,

volunteers, athletes, and parents about the risk of

concussions and head injuries.

2. Each coach and official is required to complete an annual

concussion recognition course.

3. Each athlete and their parents/guardians shall sign a

concussion and head injury information sheet which shall

be designed by your local school system.

4. Due to the passage of Act 314, each official shall be

required to view the NFHS Course titled: Concussions:

What You Need to Know as well as sign the Officials

Concussions Statement which shall be kept on file with

your assignment secretary.

2015 LHSAA POLICY ON CONCUSSIONS

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

A CONCUSSION is defined as a traumatic

brain injury that interferes with normal brain

function. An athlete does NOT have to lose

consciousness to have suffered a concussion.

COMMON SYMPTOMS include the following:

• Headache, fogginess, difficulty concentrating,

easily confused, slowed thought processes,

difficulty with memory, nausea, lack of energy,

dizziness or poor balance, blurred vision,

sensitive to light and sounds, mood changes-

irritable, anxious, or tearful.

2015 LHSAA POLICY ON CONCUSSIONS

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

An appropriate Healthcare Professional is defined as an individual or

individuals from the following professions. They are the ONLY

individuals who are designated as the persons to DIAGNOSE whether

an athlete has or does not have a concussion.

• MD – A medical doctor licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana

• DO – A doctor of osteopathic medicine licensed to practice

medicine in Louisiana

• PA – Physicians Assistant licensed to practice in Louisiana

• NP – A registered nurse practitioner licensed to practice in

Louisiana

• PM – A paramedic licensed to practice in Louisiana (an EMT

Cannot make this decision)

• AT – An athletic trainer licensed nationally or by the state of

Louisiana

2015 LHSAA POLICY ON CONCUSSIONS

MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

The LHSAA has adopted the following policy with all sports for dealing

with concussions.

• 1. NO athlete shall return to play or practice on the same day of a

concussion.

• 2. ANY athlete showing signs or symptoms of having a concussion

SHALL be evaluated by an appropriate health care professional that day.

If there is not a healthcare professional available, the HEAD COACH shall

make the determination. WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP THE STUDENT-

ATHLETE OUT!!!

• 3. ANY athlete diagnosed with a concussion shall be medically cleared by

a MEDICAL DOCTOR or DOCTOR OF OSTEPATHIC medicine, each of

which must be licensed to practice in Louisiana, prior to resuming

participation in any practice or competition.

• 4. After medical clearance, RETURN TO PLAY, should follow a step-wise

protocol with provisions as determined by a MEDICAL DOCTOR licensed

in Louisiana for delayed RETURN TO PLAY based upon return of any

signs or symptoms.

RECOMMENDED CONCUSSION

MANAGEMENT

The LHSAA highly recommends that all member schools have

an appropriate health-care professional at all athletic events.

If an appropriate health-care professional is not present at an

athletic contest and an athlete is removed for showing signs and

symptoms of a head injury, after an appropriate examination, the

head coach my re-enter the athlete into the contest. However,

once re-entered, if the athlete continues to show signs and

symptoms of a concussion and is removed a second time,

he/she shall not be allowed to return to play that day until the

protocol for return to play has been followed.

In the absence of a health-care professional, the head coach

shall be designated as the RESPONSIBLE individual to make

the diagnosis whether his/her athlete has or does not have a

concussion.

Half-Time • 3 minute mandatory warm-

ups plus regular half-time.

Guidelines on Handling Contests during Lightning Disturbances

Appropriate Healthcare Professional

Officials jurisdiction begins: • 30 minute prior to kick-

off

• ends when the referee so declares or when crew leaves the field.

Mandatory Heat Time: • Out at the 6:00 minute

mark of each quarter (Aug.-Sept.) Rule 14.3.8, LHSAA

In Louisiana: • No tied games

• Must break all ties: district & non-district

• Wildcard Seeding

• Coaches have no choice, must play overtime if game is tied at end of regulation

• Rule change in 2008-beginning with 3rd overtime teams must go for two after a touchdown.

NFHS Football Rules

Each state high school association adopting these

NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source

of binding rules interpretations for contests involving

its member schools. Any person having questions

about the interpretation of NFHS football rules should

contact the football rules interpreter designated by his

or her state high school association.

The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of

model interpretations of NFHS football rules. State

rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model

football rules interpretations. No other model football

rules interpretations should be considered.

Spearing Rule 2-20-1c

Spearing is an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent at the shoulders or below with the crown (top portion) of their helmet. The shaded area is the crown.

Spearing

Rule 2-20-1c

Number 61 is guilty of spearing because the crown

(top portion) of their helmet was used to initiate contact

against an opponent at the shoulders or below.

Correcting A Down

Rule 5-1-1b (NEW)

In PlayPic A, the down should be second, but the down marker

indicator shows third during the down. After the ball is dead, the

down marker indicator shows fourth and the other game officials

point out the error to the referee (PlayPic B). The referee has the

authority to correct the number of the next down prior to the ball

becoming live after a new series of downs is awarded (PlayPic C).

Free-Kick Formation

Rule 6-1-4 (NEW)

At the time the ball is kicked, at least four K players must be on each side of the kicker. In the MechaniGram, K is guilty of encroachment, a dead-ball foul.

Free-Kick Formation

Rules 6-1-3; 6-1-4 (NEW);

6-1 PENALTY

In MechaniGram A, K has only three players on one side of the kicker. If K4 shifts to the other side of the kicker by going more than five yards from the free kick line after the ready-for-play signal (MechaniGram B), it is a dead-ball foul for encroachment.

Free-Kick Formation

Rules 6-1-3; 6-1-4 (NEW);

6-1 PENALTY

The formation in MechaniGram A is legal. In MechaniGram B K5 (who was not more than five yards behind his free-kick line, kicks the ball. That is a foul. When a player is more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free-kick line, that player is the only player who may legally kick the ball.

Free-Kick Formation

Rules 6-1-3; 6-1-4 (NEW)

The formation in MechaniGram A is legal. In MechaniGram B, when K5 kicks the ball, there are still at least four players on either side of the kicker. There is no foul. K had no player more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free-kick line and had four on either side of the kicker at the time of the kick.

Illegal Personal Contact

Rule 9-4-3g

No player or nonplayer shall make any other contact

with an opponent, including a defenseless player,

which is deemed unnecessary or excessive and which

incites roughness.

A B

Roughing The Passer

Rule 9-4 PENALTY

Number 54 grasps but does not twist, pull or turn the passer’s face mask. The foul is for an incidental face mask, and is not roughing the passer. The penalty is five yards administered under the all-but-one principle, and no automatic first down.

Dead-Ball

Penalty Enforcement

Rule 10-2-5

In PlayPic A, the A player false starts. In PlayPic B, the

B player commits a dead-ball personal foul. Both fouls

occur before the next live ball. The penalties do not

cancel and are enforced in the order of occurrence.

In PlayPic A, a B player commits a dead-ball personal foul.

In PlayPic B, A’s coach is flagged for unsportsmanlike

conduct. Both fouls occur before the next live ball. The

fouls offset and it will be third down.

Dead-Ball

Penalty Enforcement

Rule 10-2-5

In PlayPic A, the B player hits the runner out-of-bounds, a dead-ball foul. In PlayPic B, two A players commit unsportsmanlike fouls. All fouls occur before the next live ball. One A foul and the B foul offset. The penalty for the remaining A foul is enforced.

Dead-Ball

Penalty Enforcement

Rule 10-2-5

In PlayPic A, a B player commits a dead-ball personal foul. After the Referee signals and the penalty is enforced, but before the next live ball, A’s coach is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct (PlayPic B). The fouls do not offset and the penalty for the coach’s foul is also enforced. It will be first and 25.

Dead-Ball

Penalty Enforcement

Rule 10-2-5

Targeting

Rule 2-20-2

Targeting is an act by any player who takes aim and

initiates contact against an opponent above the

shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or

shoulders.

Editorial

Change

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of State High School Associations

2015

Football

Rules Reminders

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

A new definition in 2014 for a defenseless player was

added. A defenseless player is a player who, because of his

physical position and focus of concentration, is especially

vulnerable to injury.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: OUT OF THE PLAY

B6 has chosen not to participate further and is obviously out

of the play. He is considered to be defenseless.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: KICKER

After a kick (PlayPic A), a kicker who has not had a

reasonable amount of time to regain his balance after the

kick (PlayPic B) is a defenseless player.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: PASS RECEIVER

A pass receiver attempting to catch a pass, or a pass

receiver who has clearly relaxed when the player has

missed the pass or feels he can no longer catch the pass, is

considered defenseless.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: KICK RECEIVER

A kick receiver attempting to catch or recover the ball is

considered defenseless.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: PLAYER ON THE GROUND

A player who is on the ground is considered defenseless.

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012

Defenseless Player

Rules 2-32-16; 9-4-3i(3)

EXAMPLE: FORWARD PROGRESS

STOPPED

A runner already in the grasp of an opponent and whose

forward progress has been stopped is defenseless. Contact

on the runner could also be considered targeting.

Concussion in Sports

■ Understand what concussions are & their impact on players

■ Recognize the complications associated with concussions

■ Recognize signs and symptoms of concussion

■ Know when additional medical attention is needed

■ Understand what your responsibilities are in concussion

management

■ Understand the proper concussion management protocols

■ List the steps a player should use to return to active play

safely after a concussion

Course Objectives Units

More Information at nfhslearn.com!

■ Concussion Overview

■ The Problem

■ Your Responsibility

NFHS Suggested Guidelines for

Management of Concussion in Sports

In the Appendix

in all of the

2015-16 NFHS

Rules Book

■ Recognize that Exertional Heatstroke (EHS) is the leading preventable cause of death among athletes

■ Know the importance of a formal pre-season heat acclimatization plan

■ Know the importance of having and implementing a specific hydration plan, keeping your athletes well-hydrated, and providing

ample opportunities for, and encouraging, regular fluid replacement

■ Know the importance of appropriately modifying activities in relation to the environmental heat stress and contributing risk

factors (e.g., illness, overweight) to keep your athletes safe and performing well

■ Know the importance for all staff to closely monitor all athletes during practice and training in the heat, and recognize the signs

and symptoms of developing heat illness

■ Know the importance of, and resources for, establishing an Emergency Action Plan and promptly implementing it in case of

suspected EHS or other medical emergency

Course Objectives

More Information at

nfhslearn.com!

■ Fundamentals

1. Start Slow, Then Progress

2. Allow for Individual Conditioning

3. Adjust Intensity and Rest

4. Start Sessions Adequately Hydrated

Units

Heat Illness

Prevention

5. Recognize Signs Early

6. Recognize More Serious Signs

7. Have an Emergency Action Plan

■ Emphasize the importance of proper fueling for physical activity, pre- and post-workout

■ Provide real-world effective advice for helping your students to make better food decisions

■ Underscore male-and female-specific issues surrounding the topic of nutrition

■ Clarify the warning signs for eating disorders and disordered eating

■ To provide an overview about dietary supplements, how they are regulated and how to avoid use of

contaminated dietary supplements

■ To highlight the risks to athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic-

androgenic steroids

■ Reinforce the no-drug policy of interscholastic athletics

Course Objectives

More Information at

nfhslearn.com!

■ Nutrition

■ Supplements

Units

Sports

Nutrition

■ Proper hand positioning for catching the ball

■ Identify drills for teaching safe tackling techniques

■ Teach fundamental Quarterback skills – proper stances, footwork, controlling the snap, securing the ball,

drop back and passing

■ Teach fundamental Running Back skills – proper stances, taking the handoff, pass protection blocking,

route running and receiving

■ Teach fundamental Wide Receiver and Tight End skills – proper stances, routes, running and blocking

■ Teach Tight End and Offensive Linemen blockings skills – drive block, combination block, double team

block and pass rushing blocking

■ Teach fundamental Special Teams skills – kickoff technique, cover team, return specialist, extra point and

punting

Course Objectives

More Information at

nfhslearn.com! ■ All Player Skills

■ Offensive Team Skills

■ Defensive Team Skills

■ Special Teams

Units

Coaching

Football

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of State High School Associations

Thank You!

www.nfhs.org